SOME RULES AND DEFINTITIONS
OF TEE BALL
In The Field – Defensive Play
What is the “time rule”?
The ‘time rule’ is one of the few rules that is peculiar to T-Ball. That is to say, that
whilst an umpire in Baseball can call “TIME” at any time, the rule does not have the same
meaning in T-Ball. The rule is in place to try and teach the players the skills necessary to
play baseball in the way a play normally ends. In Baseball runners do not advance when an
outfielder has the ball or is about to field the ball, because it is likely that they will be
thrown out at the next base. The ‘time rule’ is designed to stop runners advancing just
because of the inexperience and lack of skills of the fielders. At the same time runners
often do not have the experience or skills to realise a play that if they ran they would
likely get out.
The umpires are taught to prevent plays where the runners put their head down and run
and keep on running with out paying any attention to the risk they are taking in getting
out but for the throwing, catching and tagging skills of the fielders.
In practice TIME is to be called when the fielder is or is about to be in possession of the
ball close to the infield (within say 80 feet of the next base for any runner). Time is also
supposed to be called if the coach is encouraging the runner to run when in a game of
baseball, to run would result in a certain OUT at the next base; the runner is not looking
at the ball before advancing; and when a fielder is faking a throw to the next base in an
attempt to prevent the runner advancing, when the advance would be a certain OUT in
baseball.
Is ‘Time’ to be called when a ball is overthrown?
Yes. Again the situation is supposed to be that teams do not take advantage of the
inexperience of the other fielders, and the situation that should exist if an errorless
play were made. So in a situation where the batter hits a ground ball to the second base
fielder, this is fielded by the second baseman correctly and the ball thrown to and
caught correctly by the first base fielder, the result would be an out at first. If
however the 2nd base fielder fielded correctly and threw to the first base player and the
ball goes sailing over his head into foul territory, the runner would make first base. Time
should then be called so the batter does not turn and run to 2nd base whilst the ball is
found. All runners in this situation should only advance one base.
When is it necessary to tag the runner with the ball?
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Any base runner, including the batter/runner, can be put out by tagging the runner with
the ball in hand or glove. It is not necessary for the ball to actually touch the runner,
just the hand or glove in which the ball is held. A runner can only be put out by a fielder
by touching the base that a runner is running towards, IF that runners is a forced
runner. Touching the base can be done with any part of their body, provided the ball is in
their hand under control, or with the ball.
A runner becomes forced if they have to leave the base they occupy because of an
advancing runner (this includes home plate in the case of batter/runner leaving because
the ball has been put into play off the bat). For example, if the bases are loaded and the
ball has been put into play, all the runners, including the batter/runner are forced and
the runners can be put out by either method. If however, second base was vacant and
there were runners on 1st and 3rd only, the runner on 1st is forced but the runner on third
is not forced and can only be put out by a tag.
What is the best play on a ‘last batter’ or when there are
already two out?
The best play is on any forced runner, as this will prevent the runner on 3rd base from
scoring. See more detail in batting section under ‘When does a runner score on the last
out?’
What is obstruction?
Obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the
act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. This is the rule that stops
fielders standing on the base lines. It is why we tell you to stand away from the lines,
and even when the foot is on the bag waiting for the ball to be thrown to you.
The ruling is if the runner still makes the base safely there will be no call. If however
the runner is out and the umpire rules that the obstruction prevented them from making
the base, then the runner will be awarded the base. This is different from interference,
which usually refers to a runner interfering with a ball after it is it fair.
What is meant by a ‘double play’ or ‘triple play’?
More than one offensive player can be put out on each play. If a batter is caught or put
out before reaching 1st base, or a runner on first base is put out before reaching second,
other runners can be put out as well. For example, a ground ball is hit and fielded by the
3rd baseman, can result in a tag on the runner who just left 2nd. A throw to the 2nd
baseman who is standing on the base as the ball is caught, puts out the runner coming
from 1st and another quick throw to 1st beating the batter/runner there, will result in a
triple play.
Should I cover my base or field the ball?
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It is important to remember in fielding that the first priority is to field the ball. If the
ball is not hit to you and is fielded by someone else, then you cover the base nearest you,
by placing your foot on the side of the bag, (being careful not to impede the runner, as
mentioned above.) and be ready to receive a catch. If you are the fielder who has fielded
the ball, throw to the nearest base. Don’t throw to a base that is unattended and
remember the play is not over when the ball is caught, or at any time until the umpire
calls time. Until then any runner can be put out.
Following is a sketch of positional play and which position is responsible for covering
bases when the fielder has to leave his position to field a ball.
CF
LF
RF
SS
3RD
2ND
pitcher
1ST
CATCHER
All fielders should be able to see the ball on the tee.
If 1st base moves away to field the ball, pitcher moves to 1st base ready to make the out.
If 2nd base has to move away to field the ball or moves out for a relay throw from CF/RF
then short stop covers 2nd base.
Outfield: your job is to get the ball back into the infield.
LF- Left Field, CF – centre field, RF – right field: always watch the ball. Always expect
the ball to come to you. Catch/field the ball and throw to 2nd or 3rd base or the infield as
fast and carefully as you can. Use a relay thrower if possible. Watch the ball as you pick
it up, steady yourself, step and throw. Don’t Panic!!!
Infield: your job is to stop the ball getting to the out field then try to make the out.
1st, 2nd, 3rd, Pitcher, catcher, Short Stop: always watch the ball. Always expect the ball to
come to you, even from the outfield. Know where the base runners are and try to make
the right play – look for the double or triple play. Throw accurately – accuracy comes by
throwing with your parents every day, as does good catching….so practice!!
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What are appeal plays?
These are plays where the umpie does not call the play even if seen by him or her, until
the fielding team appeals in the right way. The following appeal plays are possible in tee
ball:
1. The runner fails to ‘tag up’ after a fly ball before the runner or the base is
tagged.
2. the runner while advancing fails to touch each base in order before the runner or
the missed base is tagged ( here tagged means the act of standing on the base
with ball in hand)
3. the runner fails to touch home plate and makes no attempt to return and the
fielder stands on the base with the ball.
4. a batter bats out of turn.
In each case the appeal can only be made by the player (not the coach or a spectator)
with the ball in hand and standing on the base or having applied the tag. This is done by
holding the ball in the air in the glove and asking the umpire for a ruling on the incident
claimed to have occurred.
Can a forced runner become a non-forced runner during play?
Yes.
There are many instances were the force will be removed on a runner but I will go
through one for you that we went through on the double play question.
When we talked about a ground ball being hit by the batter/runner and a runner is on
first base. The first base runner id forced to move to second base because the batter
has become a runner. The fielder can get the runner out who is moving from first to
second by standing on the base with the ball in his hand and then throwing to the first
baseman who is doing the same thing. If however the ground ball was hit to first base
and the first baseman fielded the ball and stood on the base, the batter is out. At that
moment the force is removed from the runner moving to second base and he has to be
tagged to be put out. Standing on the base with the ball in hand is not enough.
Batting and Base Running - Offensive Play
What is a foul ball?
A foul ball is a batted ball that comes to rest in foul
territory over the line between home and first base or
home and third base. A ball is also called foul if it first
hits the ground in foul territory beyond the first or third
bases. Or if it hits an umpire, player or other objects
that is not part of the natural ground whilst on or over
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foul territory. A batted ball that hits first or third base is a fair ball. A ball is also fair
if it first lands in fair territory and bounces over the foul line, if when it crosses the
foul line it is past first or third base. A batter can still be caught out if they pop a ball
into the air in foul territory. A ball is fair if any part of it touches the line between
home and first base and home and third base.
Can a batter move his back foot once play has been called?
No. This rule has 2 main purposes:
Firstly, it is intended to prevent the batter shaping to hit in one direction and moving so
as to hit in another. The more advanced batters can achieve the same result without
moving their foot by altering the position of their body when the bat hits the ball, so as
to either pull the ball or hit to the opposite field.
Secondly, batters need to learn to drive from their back foot when swinging the bat. In
baseball a habit of moving the back foot is a bad habit because it will produce poor
hitting. Batting off the back foot is OK in cricket when the ball is bounced off the pitch,
but in a baseball swing it is where the power comes from.
If the back foot is raised off the ground or slid to a new position BEFORE the ball is
struck, the call is STRIKE.
What is the rule when a T-Ball runner on a base leaves before
the ball is batted into play?
In T-Ball stolen bases are not allowed. This is to even things up because in baseball, when
the ball is in the hand of the pitcher before the play, he can throw to first to keep a
runner on the base before the play starts. When the ball is stuck on the Tee, where the
fielders cannot get it, the runner would have a free go at it. The rule is also in place
because of the smaller diamonds used for the younger players.
The rule is that if the runner leaves early the umpire should call it whilst the play
progresses, and if that runner gets out, then the play stands. If the runner is safe, he
(and any other runners) should return to the base that they have left and there is an
additional strike on the batter.
The problem in T-Ball with the younger players is that if something is called by the
umpire during the play, even if the intention is for the play to continue, the players will
stop in their tracks. Usually, you have to wait till the play ends to make the call and let
the players know that you saw the runner leave early and then all players will be called
back to the bases they were on and a strike is called. It is also important to remember
that when base running you cannot overtake the runner in front of you.
Must a runner run the shortest most direct route between bases?
No. A base runner can run in an arc (which you might do if going to advance more than
one base on a good hit and so not to slow down when taking the corner – remembering to
touch the base) or in any direction really in attempting to reach the next base
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PROVIDED that the deviation off the ‘runners line’ which is the usual course you would
have taken, is not more than 3 feet in an attempt to avoid a tag or so to interfere with a
fielder fielding the ball.
Is a base runner out if a fair batted ball hits him?
Usually yes. It is a type of interference that it is deemed that if the ball hits a runner
then it usually deflects and affects the chance of the fielder fielding the ball. It follows
that if a fielder has had a play at the ball and misses it and then it hits the runner, the
runner will not be out. It is best as a runner to try to remember to watch the ball at all
times and avoid being hit if at all possible.
What is meant by a runner ‘tagging up’?
As mentioned above a runner cannot leave the base until the ball is hit. Therefore if a
ball is hit in the air and is caught, the batter is out and all other runners cannot advance
and must return to the base they left. If they are tagged before they get back to the
base they are out. From the time the ball is caught, provided the runner is touching the
base at the time the ball is caught or re-touches his base he can then advance to the
next base if it is free and if they can beat the throw to that base. This is known as
“tagging up” as if tagging the base you are leaving after the catch. In advance levels of
baseball, by using this method of running you have what is called a “sacrifice fly”, where
the batter hits the ball intentionally into the air, knowing it will probably mean his out,
but advancing the runner in any advent. This however does not apply to the last out of
the inning.
When does a runner score on a last out?
There are 2 situations where you have a last out. The first is when there are already 2
outs and the fielding team makes another out. The second is when the “last batter” call
is made. If during the play in either of these situations a runner crosses home plate,
does that runner score? The answer is that the run will not score if the runner or the
batter/runner that who is put out is forced. This is so even if the runner crosses home
plate before the forced out is made.
So in the situation where it is the Last Batter and there is a runner on third when there is
a ground ball. This runner, unless thrown out at home plate will be allowed to cross home
before “time” is called or runners on second first and even the batter/runner can make it
under the ‘time rule’ which applies. If however the fielders make a successful play at first
base or any forced base, then the run does not score.
The best play therefore on a Last Batter or after 2 outs is at first or on any forced
runner, so as to prevent the run scoring.
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Do you have to touch the bases if the runner is running in the
reverse direction?
Yes. In a play for example where the runner on first runs on the big fly ball to the
outfield and the ball is caught after the runner has touched second base and is heading
for third, that runner cannot take a short cut across the diamond. The runner must go
back touching second base on the way to first. If they do not and an appeal is made, the
runner is out.
DEFINITIONS OF TEE-BALL TERMS
Bunt: is a batted ball not swung at, but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly
within the field. This is illegal in Tee-Ball.
Batter‘s Box: is the area within which the batter shall stand during a time at bat.
Catcher’s Box: is the area within which a catcher shall stand until the ball is hit off the
tee.
Defensive: is the team in the field
Offensive: is the team that is batting
A fly Ball: is a batted ball that goes high in the air in flight.
Safe: the declaration by the umpire that a runner is entitled to the base for which he
was trying.
A Live Ball: a ball that is in play
Infielder: is a fielder who occupies a position in the infield. Short stop, pitcher, 1st, 2nd,
and 3rd base positions are all ‘infield’.
Outfielder: is a fielder who occupies a position in the outfield, which is the area of the
playing field that is most distant from home plate. Left, centre and Right field are all
outfielders.
“Play”: is the umpires order to start the game or to resume action following any dead
ball.
An Inning: is that portion of the game within which the teams alternate on offence and
defence and in which there are three put-outs (or 9 across the plate) for each team.
Each team’s at bat is half an inning.
A Catch: the act of a fielder getting secure possession in a hand or glove of a ball in
flight. It is not a catch if the fielder drops the ball after the ball ‘is caught’ if they
immediately fall or collide with someone or something causing the ball to be dislodged.
However if it is dropped in the act of pulling the ball out of the glove to throw it is a
catch.
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